Preparation of Materials to Submit for Curriculum Changes

Procedures for Requesting Curriculum Changes

Prepare the correct number of each required form. The required number is listed on
the top of each form.

Submit the forms to the College of Graduate Studies, First Floor, Sam H. Ingram Building.
The Graduate College routes the documentation to the Graduate Faculty/Program Review
subcommittee for discussion prior to the regular meeting of the Graduate Council.
The subcommittee makes recommendations to the Graduate Council, which then makes recommendations
to the dean of the College of Graduate Studies. All Graduate Council actions are noted
in the minutes.

Every curriculum request must be accompanied by the following:

Complete a COVER MEMO stating exactly what changes are being requested.

It is normally not necessary to send a representative to the Graduate Council meeting;
however, representatives are welcome. Most action pertaining to faculty and program
review occurs in the Graduate Faculty/Program Review subcommittee meeting. Departmental
representatives and/or individual faculty making application for graduate faculty
membership may attend the sub-committee meetings to respond to questions or concerns
of the sub-committee. In the event that the sub-committee does not recommend a curriculum
request, the department chair is notified and the reasons are given. In the event
a person is not recommended for graduate faculty membership, the individual is notified
and the reasons are given.

Curriculum Changes Which DO Require Graduate Council Action

New Program Requests

New Program Requests include the establishment of new academic degree programs, new
majors, new concentrations (concentrations appear on the student's transcript and
require TBR approval), and new specializations (specializations do not appear on the
student's transcript and do not require TBR approval).

New Course Proposal

The NEW COURSE PROPOSAL FORM should be followed for all new course proposals. There are two parts to the form:
Part I - Course Justification andPart II - Course Outline. Both parts must be submitted.

If proposed new course, change of title, or reactivation of a course may affect other
departments, attach letters from the department chairs certifying they have been consulted
and concur with the proposed action. Check current catalogs for similar course titles
and offerings.

Request to Change Course Number or Title

To avoid duplication of course numbers, check with the Director of Records before
assigning a course number. Avoid duplication of course titles and infringement on
courses existing in other departments. If a course title is changed, it is sometimes
necessary to change the course number as well.

Request to Change Credit Hours.

The Graduate Council frequently receives requests to change existing 3 credit hour
courses to 4 credit hours because accrediting agencies have recommended it. This in
and of itself is not sufficient cause to add credit hours. SACSCOC recommends 750
minutes of class time per semester credit hour.

Request to Dually List Course with Already Existing Course

To dual-list a 4000/5000 level course, include the course outline which must include
a section stating the specific additional requirements for graduate students. These
requirements must be of sufficient rigor to justify graduate credit. Dual-listed (4000/5000)
courses must be approved by the University Curriculum Committee before being acted
on by the Graduate Council. The department is responsible for submitting the appropriate documentation to the
Graduate Council.

To dual-list a 6000/7000 level course, include the course outline which must include
a section stating the specific additional requirements to justify doctoral (7000 level)
credit.

Request for Non-substantive Revisions in Curriculum of Existing Major, Minor, Concentration
or Specialization

"Non-substantive revisions" refers to minor modifications in the existing program,
e.g., changing the number of hours required in the core, adding or deleting one course
from the core, adding or deleting elective courses, etc.

Concentration is used if the notation is to appear on the student's transcript. Adding a concentration
requires TBR approval.

Specialization is used if the specialty is not noted on the student's transcript. Adding a specialization
does not require TBR approval.

Request to Reactivate a Course

Request to Change the Grading System for a Course

As of Fall 1997, the +/- grading system was implemented for graduate classes using
the conventional ABC grading system. S/U grading, when appropriate, may be requested
for an internship, practicum, etc.

Request to Change Admission Requirements

Non-substantive changes in the admission requirements for graduate programs such as
requiring or deleting letters of recommendation, may be recommended by the Graduate
Council, however, substantive changes require TBR approval, e.g., instituting a GRE
score when one has not previously been required.

Other Requests

Curriculum Changes Which DO NOT Require Graduate Council Action

Minor changes in curriculum may be made at the departmental level and do not require
action by the Graduate Council. These include:

changes in course descriptions that do not involve substantial changes in the course
content

changes in prerequisites for existing courses

However, these changes do need to be made in the catalog. This requires approval by
the department chair and dean of the applicable college.

Send changes along with a COVER MEMO signed and dated by the department chair, the pertinent college dean, and the dean
of the College of Graduate Studies. Changes may be written on a photocopy of the current
catalog page(s) or on a separate sheet.